Safety fastening or seal for envelopes



(No Model.)

' E. W. HALL. SAFETY FASTENING 0R SEAL P R BNVELOPES. No. 484,711, Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

EDWIN w. HALL, on WHITEHALL, NEW YORK.

SAFETY FASTENING OR SEAL FOR ENVELOPESL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,711, dated beets e,"19e.

Application filed April 22, 1892. Serial ll'o. 430,255. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN W. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Whitehall, in the county of Washington and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Fastenings or Seals for Envelopes or Wrappers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for fastening the flaps of envelopes and similar uses: and the object I have in View is to provide simple means for preventing all tampering with the contents of letters and packages contained in sealed wrappers and to secure said wrapper in such a manner as to give unfailing evidence of an attempt to open the said wrapper and obtain access to its contents.

Another purpose I have in view is to provide a sealing device of the kind referred to so constructed that one or more initial letters or a monogram, name, or other matter may be embossed upon one of the parts.

Finally, it is my purpose to provide a permanent non-frangible seal having novel, simple, and inexpensive means whereby the parts composing the seal may be attached to the parts of the Wrapper.

My invention consists to these ends in the novel features of construction and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully set forth,

and then more particularlypointe'd out in the claims forming part of this specification.

To enable others to understand and to make, construct, and use my said invention, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made for such purpose to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of an envelope or wrapper to which my invention is applied, the parts being shown as united; Fig. 2 is a view showing the same parts separated in the same relative position, showing their form before union. Fig. 3 is a View showing a slight change in construction. Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views of the two metallic plates.

In the drawings the reference-numeral 1 indicates one of the parts to which the fastening-seal is applied, and the numeral 2 indicates the other part-such. for example, as the flap and body portion of an envelope or other wrapper. Upon one of these parts I apply a plate 3, formed of thin sheet metal,

either in the form of a disk or in any other preferred shape suitable for the purpose.

The attachment is effected by means of projecting points, strips, or filaments 4, integral with the plate and projecting from its edge at two or more points. These points, strips, or filaments are bent substantially at right angles with the plate and passed through openings in the part to which said plate is to be attached. The protruding ends are then bent down upon said part, clasping the same between them and the body of the plate. From the central portion of the plate 3 pro jects a short nipple or tubular eyelet 5, passing through the part of the envelope or wrapper in such manner that its open protruding end is upon that side upon which the other part of said envelope or wrapper lies when the sealing is effected. Within the open end of the tubular eyelet 5 is then inserted a solid rivet (3, formed of suitable metal, fitting with suitable closeness the inner face of the eyelet 5, but preferably not passing entirely through the same so far as to project therefrom at the end lying inside the envelope. A flange 7 on the end of the tubular eyelet has an edge extending, preferably, a very lit tle below the end of the rivet, said flange being turned or spread outward partially only, its peripheral edge being capable of spreading radially, as explained hereinafter. The

solid. rivet 6 has a fiat head 7 lying against the plate 3, the end of the rivet being slightly swelled to prevent the rivet from falling out. The enlarged end of the rivet will usually lie just within the circumferential shoulder 8, formed by the partial turning of the flange 7.

Upon the other part 1 of the envelope or wrapper is attached a sheet-metal plate 12 by means of points, strips, or filaments 13 engaging the part in the manner already described in connection with the other part of the fastening or seal. An opening 14 is formed in said plate of sufficient size to permit the passage of the partially-turned flange 7 and enable the edge of said opening to surround the tubular eyelet 5. With the pressure of the finger the rivet 6 will fully spread the flange 7 ,.thereby securely fastening the plate 12, and also press the end of the rivet sufficiently to partly upset its enlarged end and fasten the tubular eyelet 5 in the plate 12 with to its full extent.

great strength, even though the metal used is of extremely light weight.

1 preferably secure the seal by means of a single stamp or die, in which a letter, monogram, symbol, name, or other device is cut in intaglio. By this means the same blow that upsets the end of the rivet also embosses thereon the character, letters, or other device of the die or stamp. If desired, the metal annulus of the plate 12 may be embossedin the same wayand by the same orsimilar means.

It will be noted that the parts of the seal or fastening are so applied to the envelope or wrapper that when united the strips, filaments, or points by which the, plates of the fastener are connected to the envelope or wrapper are entirely concealed and inaccessible to any person attempting to reach the contents of the envelope or wrapper.

I may employ the construction shown in Fig. 3, in which the rivet 6 is dispensed with and the projecting end of the tubular eyelet 5 is upset sufficiently to give direction to the turning of the flange, which engages the plate 12 in the ordinary manner when it is spread It will be noted that the arrangement is such that when the seal is formed the upset end of the rivet, whether solid or tubular, lies within the envelope or wrapper and cannot, therefore, be filed or drilled away and then united and upset a second time. The only part of the fastening exposed is the plate 3 and the flat head 7 of the rivet, which may be seated in a countersink in the face of the plate 3, whereby its surface may be flush, or nearly so, with that of the plate 3.

What I claim is-- 1. An envelope-fastener consisting of the fiat plate 3, having projecting attaching points or strips 4 at its edge and formed with a central eyelet 5, and the flat plate 12,having projecting attaching points or strips 13 and provided with a central perforation 14, through which the eyelet passes and is then upset against the perforated plate, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the sealing or fastening parts of an envelope or wrapper, of a seal or fastening consisting of the flat plate 3, having projecting attaching points or strips 4 and formed with a central eyelet 5, the flat plate 12, having projecting attaching points or strips 13 and provided with a central perforation 14, and a rivet entering the eyelet and having a flat head lying agaiustthe outer face of the plate which carries the eyelet, the end of 'said rivet being swelled or enlarged to retain it in position, substantially as described.

In. testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and afiixed my seal in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWIN W. HALL. [L. 8.] 

